# C_2008230EN.01002201.xml

| 9.9.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 230/22 |
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9.9.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 230/22

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5241 — American Express/Fortis/Alpha Card)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 230/16)

| 1. | On 29 August 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking American Express Company (‘American Express’, USA) and Fortis Bank SA/NV (‘Fortis’, Belgium) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Alpha Card S.C.R.L./C.V.B.A. (‘Alpha Card’, Belgium) by way of restructuring of the joint venture. |
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1.

On 29 August 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking American Express Company (‘American Express’, USA) and Fortis Bank SA/NV (‘Fortis’, Belgium) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Alpha Card S.C.R.L./C.V.B.A. (‘Alpha Card’, Belgium) by way of restructuring of the joint venture.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for undertaking American Express: worldwide payment card issuing and merchant acquiring; travel and insurance services, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for undertaking American Express: worldwide payment card issuing and merchant acquiring; travel and insurance services,

| — | for undertaking Fortis: worldwide banking and insurance to personal, business and institutional customers; investment services, |
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for undertaking Fortis: worldwide banking and insurance to personal, business and institutional customers; investment services,

| — | for undertaking Alpha Card: payment card issuing and merchant acquiring services in Belgium and Luxembourg. |
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for undertaking Alpha Card: payment card issuing and merchant acquiring services in Belgium and Luxembourg.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5241 — American Express/Fortis/Alpha Card, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5241 — American Express/Fortis/Alpha Card, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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